Can I Be Compensated for Lost Wages After an Accident?
Posted June 5th, 2025.
Categories: Blog.
If you were forced to take time off of work to recover after being injured in an accident, you could be compensated for lost wages depending on the details of the situation. For more information and to obtain skilled representation during your case, reach out to a Cherry Hill personal injury attorney today.
What Are Lost Wages?
Lost wages refer to any income that you missed out on while taking time off of work to recover from an injury. After you are involved in an accident and sustain an injury, you may not be able to go to work or perform the duties your job requires. Depending on the type and severity of the injury it could take just a few days or several months to get back to work. During that time you likely missed out on your salary, bonuses, tips, commissions, and other benefits.
Can I Be Compensated for Lost Wages After an Accident?
Depending on the circumstances of your accident and injury, yes, you can be compensated for lost wages due to time taken off work. Whether or not you are eligible to recover damages depends on the specifics of your situation, but below are some of the most common ways you can receive compensation after a loss of income.
PIP Insurance
PIP (Personal Injury Protection), is a type of insurance required under New Jersey state law. Because NJ is a no-fault accident state, all drivers must carry PIP and seek compensation through their own insurance provider after an accident before attempting to hold the other driver responsible.
PIP reimburses drivers for financial losses resulting directly from an injury sustained in a car accident. This includes medical expenses and lost wages. If your injury occurred in an auto accident, PIP is a great option to recover lost wages.
Liability Insurance
If your accident and injury were caused by another person or entity, you could file a claim with the liable party’s insurance. Whether the injury was sustained in a car crash, slip and fall, or any other type of accident, you can request damages through a liability insurance claim. This can include compensation for lost wages.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
Many people turn to a lawsuit if a liability insurance claim is impossible or does not work out. If you have evidence that the defendant’s negligence or recklessness caused your accident and resulting injury, you can file a lawsuit for a variety of damages including medical expenses, property damage, emotional distress, physical pain, and lost wages.
Workers’ Compensation
If your injury was sustained in a workplace accident, you may be able to recover lost wages through workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance provided by employers to benefit employees who were injured on the job or due to work-related activities. One of the benefits offered through workers’ comp is compensation for lost wages due to time taken off of work for recovery.
